Overview
FC Copenhagen returned to the Champions League after a short absence and will start a new campaign with a home match against Bayer Leverkusen.
The Danish champions are looking to recover from the disappointing defeat to Brondby last weekend. Meanwhile, Leverkusen hope to continue their excitement under the leadership of new coach Kasper Hjulmand.
Copenhagen left the Champions League to fight in the Europa Conference League last season, where they reached the round of 16 before stopping at champions Chelsea.
After a year of absence from the most prestigious playground in Europe, the Danish champion will return and immediately face the top opponents.
The team nicknamed the Lions has overcome a challenging qualifying campaign, defeating opponents such as Drita, Malmo and Basel to qualify for the Champions League group stage.
Unlike the lackluster matches of the previous season when the opponents were only Hearts, Dinamo Minsk or Jagiellonia Bialystok, Copenhagen will now have to face the "big guys" such as Tottenham, Napoli and Barcelona.
However, to create momentum for these fierce encounters, Copenhagen will have to overcome their weakness at home. They have lost all 8 of their most recent matches against German teams. In addition, the 1-2 defeat to arch-rival Brondby last weekend has put the Lions under even more pressure.
While Copenhagen fell to Steve Cooper's new team, Bayer Leverkusen opened a new, exciting era.
Kasper Hjulmand - Erik ten Hag's successor - made an impressive debut when leading Die Werkself to defeat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1. With 4 goals, 2 red cards and a penalty, it was an unforgettable match, and at the same time signaling a promising start for the 53-year-old "captain".
Leverkusen has already made its mark in Europe in recent seasons. They reached the final of the Europa League 2024, then continued to impress in the Champions League last season with resounding victories against both teams in Milan. Only Liverpool and Atletico Madrid are capable of stopping them in the group stage.
This year, Die Werkself continues to face a big challenge with PSG, Manchester City and Newcastle. But first of all, Hjulmand and his team need a solid start in Denmark, when they travel to Copenhagen.
Personnel situation
Coach Jacob Neestrup will have to deal with the loss of conductor Magnus Mattsson to a knee injury in the play-off against Basel.
The 26-year-old midfielder is likely to miss the rest of the season, while Oliver Hojer and Jonathan Moalem will also continue to be absent.
On the other hand, Leverkusen also suffered a big loss when Exequiel Palacios was forced to undergo surgery for a closed muscle injury and was at risk of a long break. Aleix Garcia is likely to be given a replacement opportunity, while Patrik Schick will lead the attack.
Expected lineup:
Copenhagen: Kotarski, Lopez, Hatzidiakos, Pereira, Huescas, Lerager, Delaney, Achouri, Elyounoussi, Larson, Cornelius.
Bayer Leverkusen: Flekken, Tapsoba, Bade, Quansah, Grimaldo, Garcia, Andrich, Vazquez, Tillman, Tella, Schick.
The match between Copenhagen and Bayer Leverkusen takes place at 23:45 on September 18 (Vietnam time).
